The SMU men’s soccer team is expected to do great things this season. After reaching the Elite Eight of the College Cup in 2010, the team is ranked No. 5 in the preseason polls and is predicted to repeat as Conference USA champions. And leading the charge will be three Mustangs that have been named among the top-100 men’s college soccer players in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer.
Senior Arthur Ivo and sophomore Juan Castillo are the big names for SMU. Ivo is ranked No. 28 in the nation while Castillo is No. 55. Both were instrumental in leading SMU to the Elite Eight in 2010 and are expected to do great thing in 2011. They tied for the most goals on the team with 10 and were number one and two, respectively, in points.
Hidden in the shadow of these two players is sophomore Zach Barnes, yet another integral piece in the Mustangs’ roster. The sophomore midfielder for SMU tied for fourth on the team with five goals last season.
SMU kicks off the 2011 season at home against No. 13 William and Mary on Saturday, August 27.